A bare tree stand is nobody's idea of a finishing touch. Wires trail from the fairy lights to the socket. A water dish sits in full view under a real tree. The plastic or metal base looks exactly like hardware.
A jute tree skirt solves that one problem: the bottom of the tree looking unfinished. It wraps the base in a natural, textured fabric that reads as part of the display. This guide covers what a tree skirt needs to do and how to pick the right size. It also covers how to use it once the decorations come down.
What a jute tree skirt covers
The job of a tree skirt is to hide everything below the lowest branches. That means the stand, the cable from the lights to the socket, and the water dish on a real tree.
None of that is meant to be on show. It also looks worst from floor height. That is where most people sit to open presents on the day.
A round skirt in natural jute and burlap covers the base in one piece of fabric. The eye goes to the tree and the presents, and skips the stand. It is a small change. It is also the difference between a tree that looks finished and one that looks half set up.
Choosing between 90cm and 120cm
Size is the one detail worth getting right before you order. A skirt that is too small leaves a ring of bare stand at the edges. One that is too large bunches up and refuses to lie flat.
- 90cm suits a compact tree, the kind that fits a flat corner or sits on a console table. Its stand is usually narrow.
- 120cm suits a medium to large tree. The lower branches spread wider, and the stand or bucket underneath is bigger to match.
Unsure which side your tree falls on? Measure the spread of the lowest branches and ignore the height. A tall, narrow tree can still suit the smaller size. A shorter tree with wide branches often needs the larger one.
When in doubt, go larger. A bigger skirt can be folded under slightly at the edge. A skirt that is too small cannot be stretched to fit.
How to measure in two minutes
- Find the lowest ring of branches on the tree.
- Measure straight across from tip to tip, through the trunk.
- Compare that number with 90cm and 120cm.
- If it sits between the two, choose 120cm.
For a tree still in its box, check the width on the label or in the instructions. The branches spread wider than the stand, so allow for that.
Why jute and burlap
Most tree skirts sold at Christmas are felt, quilted cotton or a shiny printed synthetic. Each adds another pattern beside the baubles, the wrapping paper and the lights.
Jute and burlap work differently. They add texture in one natural tone. That makes the skirt easy to pair with almost any colour scheme. Red and gold, white and silver, or something new each year all sit well on it.
It also brings a rustic, farmhouse look. That style has stayed popular at Christmas because it leaves the tree to do the talking. A printed skirt can date quickly or clash with new decorations. A natural weave still works three or four Christmases later.
Styling it with your decorations
Because the tone is neutral, the skirt works as a base for almost any style. Presents in a mix of colours and papers still look coordinated on top of it. The fabric underneath ties the display together.
It photographs well too. The woven texture catches natural light in a way flat synthetic fabric misses. That matters if the space under the tree is where the family photo happens every year.
It sits comfortably next to wooden and metal ornaments and string lights. It also suits dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks, now a fixture of a more natural-looking Christmas. There is no need to swap it to match a theme.
Using it beyond the tree
A round piece of natural fabric has a life beyond the few weeks the tree is up. The same skirt works as a table runner under a Christmas centrepiece.
Laid flat, it also makes a backdrop for other festive displays. Try it under a stack of wrapped gifts on a shelf. Or lay it beneath a group of pine cones and baubles on a sideboard or mantelpiece.
Treating it as seasonal fabric makes it easier to justify the storage space. It also gives it a reason to come out early if the mood strikes.
Looking after it and storing it
Jute and burlap are sturdy, but they are natural fibres. Keep the skirt away from standing water. If it picks up damp from a real tree's water dish, let it dry fully before folding it.
It folds flat for storage. It packs down small enough to go back in the decorations box with the baubles and lights. It needs no box of its own.
The colour is natural, with no dye. So it is less likely to fade after a season in storage than a printed or bright skirt. That is one less thing to replace next year.
Does it suit an artificial tree too?
Yes. A water dish and dropped needles make the case obvious for a real tree. An artificial tree still has a stand, usually a plastic or metal cross-base. It is no more decorative than the stand under a real tree.
A pre-lit tree also has a cable running to the socket. The skirt covers the base the same way, whatever sits above it. An artificial tree often stays up longer over the season, so its stand is on show for longer too.
Frequently asked questions
What size jute tree skirt should I get?
Measure the spread of your tree's lowest branches rather than its height. A 90cm skirt suits a compact tree, and a 120cm skirt suits a medium to large one. Between sizes, choose the larger.
Can I use a jute tree skirt with an artificial tree?
Yes. An artificial tree still has a stand and, if it is pre-lit, a cable to the socket. A tree skirt covers them the same way it would under a real tree.
Will it fade or need replacing every year?
The natural, undyed tone is less prone to fading than a printed or bright skirt. Stored dry and folded flat, it should last several Christmases.
What else can I use it for outside December?
The same round piece of fabric works as a table runner under a centrepiece, or as a backdrop for other festive displays on a shelf.
Rustic Jute Christmas Tree Skirt - Natural
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